(A/N): Well, here's the next in the series of requests had for our little one-shot specials. And I have to admit, although it took some time to get in to, I couldn't help but enjoy myself in the playful fun this chapter I had. I really do enjoy Artorian's interactions with Mei Mei, most on the grounds that I feel the cyber-cat maid was robbed of being a great character in Canon, put to the sidelines much like Miharu and several other of the characters are. And hey, who doesn't like some lighthearted fun for the cast when they all have had their own painful struggles? Not going to have this A/N long, but I'm intending on quickly putting the current list down for the next planned chapters for this in order so that people know I see their requests and am intending on doing them. So if you want to see what's currently listed, it'll be shown at the end of the chapter.
This chapter came at the request of Forsaken Watcher. I hope you enjoy this chapter!
"Here's the papers you wanted Charlotte!" Mei Mei announced as she finished organizing a large stack of papers and placed them down by Charlotte, the scientist smiling in appreciation as she looked up to her.
"Thank you Mei Mei, you saved me a lot of time by doing it. I owe you for it." She said, turning back to her computer to continue her work.
"Can I ask what they were, a lot of it didn't make sense. And I saw a lot of different biological data from mutations."
"Just some old data that need's logging from the First Generation Slayer program. I've kept it hidden for a while and Ornstein requested that I send some of it to him." Charlotte answered. "Nothing too big, just the alterations the average Vessel had, as well as the more drastic metamorphosis that compatible people went through."
"Wow, that sounds serious."
"It is, but it shouldn't be a problem for us. I'm sure he just wants to update what he had." The scientist guessed before looking up to the cyber-cat maid again. "Say Mei Mei, you've been down here long enough. How about you get some fresh air and take the rest of the day off?"
"Are you sure? I don't want to leave you doing too much work on your own." She responded, getting a playful laugh from Charlotte.
"No, I should be fine. Most of my work's pretty simple. Besides, I have LiZa here with me to help. She can do it all quick."
"We're good" Liza would add in, the words appearing on the screen.
"Well… if you say so." Mei Mei said, although hesitantly as she stepped to the door. "Call me if you need any help!"
"I will, don't worry."
"And eat your dinner before it gets cold! I know you skipped breakfast!"
"Hahahaha! Okay, okay, I promise."
"Good!" The cyber-cat maid would smile before stepping out, walking down the hallway while placing a finger to her chin. "I wonder what I should do now? It isn't too late so maybe I can visit Karen and see how she's doing. Or maybe I can see-mmmph?" Before she could get far, Mei Mei would feel a hand cover her mouth while a blindfold was put over her eyes, catching her off guard before she was lifted up off her feet.
"I've been waiting for this opportunity."
'That voice! Isn't it-!?'
"You cannot imagine how long I've been planning this. Entire days went into the process of figuring out how I would return the favor, and when exactly I'd be able to enact it. I will have my vengeance."
"So… we're playing more games?"
"…Yes."
Shortly after the surprise kidnapping, Mei Mei was made aware that her "captor" was none other than Artorian. The two were now sitting in the hybrid's room, separated by the low table with a pile of board games beside him as he stared at the woman with a determined stare.
"Yay! Are they as fun as the Rock, Paper, Scissors game?" Mei Mei asked, clapping her hands together as her eyes shined in excitement.
"Well, not as physical." Artorian said, rubbing his forehead in remembrance. "I was thinking of trying a couple different games. Board games and others of such, we'll leave Janken out of this round of righteous battle!"
"Oh, that sounds great! What are we starting with?"
"A little game people like to call... Monopoly." Artorian revealed, placing the box of the named game onto the table. "It's pretty much a toned-down game of the business world, if the players are good enough a game could last for hours."
"Oh wow, that long!?" Mei Mei shined giddily, finding the idea amazing. "That sounds like so much fun!"
"Yes, quite the amount of fun indeed." Artorian responded, smirking as he opened the box.
'Although, it's much more of a game of luck and faith. Even if you are better with numbers, you'd have to be really lucky to beat me as easily as back then.' The hybrid chuckled as he began to set up the game. 'You may be better at Janken then me, but I won't be beaten like that again. Beating you in this will be a piece of cake.'
"Yay, you landed on my hotel again!" Mei Mei cheered happily. "But wait, you don't have any more money or property, what does that mean?"
"…I lost." He said, albeit appearing speaking to himself instead.
"So I win? Yes! I knew that spot would be great!"
'It… it hasn't even been ninety minutes…' He'd think in further surprise. Mei Mei's placement of property she bought was shockingly efficient, even though it appeared she chose them purely for the fun. She seemed like a complete rookie, but the decisions completely bankrupt the hybrid. It caught him off guard and completely came out of left field, the cyber-cat maid scoring a flawless victory against him.
"W-Well that was pretty good Mei Mei." He'd speak up, keeping up good sportsmanship as he put up a confident grin. "But that's only one of several games I have planned for us. There's plenty more to go through."
"More games, tonight's going to be fun!"
"Oh yeah, fun it will be." Artorian chuckled, putting Monopoly away before placing a new game on, a blue box. "This game is called Connect Four. It's as simple as the name implies; you have to connect four pieces together in a row either horizontally, vertically or diagonally. Sound interesting?"
"Yes! I can't wait to see what this game is like!"
"Well I'm sure you'll enjoy it. But I'll warn you, this game is much simpler than others. One small slip up can lead to a disastrous defeat." He informed, his grin remaining as he set up the stand. "Let's see how far your spree will get you."
"Of course, this'll be great!"
'Only time will tell. I don't know if it's skill or luck, but I know it can't keep you ahead forever. I will find a game I can beat you at. You can't be perfect at everything!'
"Yay, I win again!" Mei Mei smiled brightly, Artorian's head slamming against the table as she won another round. "How many does that make now?"
"Twenty, not counting the ones you won in two minutes and we barred." Artorian groaned, giving him a few seconds to reel in from the staggering defeat he just suffered.
"Oh wow, that many? I guess I'm a lot better at you then this, huh?"
'The fact I know she didn't mean anything rude by that makes it harder to accept this defeat!' He announced to himself, slamming his fist down as he looked across to her in determination.
"You have beaten me thus far Mei Mei, but I swear on my name I will find a game I can beat you at. And until then, I will exhaust no limit until I find it. We'll play all night if we have to."
"All night? That's so exciting!"
"Defeat's that entertaining huh?" He playfully bantered, a competitive aura forming between them and clashing at the center, albeit Mei Mei was always smiling and excited for the next game.
"Okay, this game is called Twister, you spin the spinner, and whatever limb and color it lands on, you have to put that one on the spot." Artorian explained after laying the mat out. "If you collapse or can't reach the assigned circle you lose."
"Oh, that sounds interesting!" Mei Mei clapped, looking at the white mat with a smile.
"Be careful Mei Mei, I have an advantage in this game since I have a much larger stature and reach." The hybrid warned playfully. "If you aren't careful you might get a little too tied up while I have no problem."
"That just makes it more fun, it's an uphill battle!"
"That's the spirit!"
"Okay, I got right hand on red." Artorian said, moving his arm back to place it on the best circle to hold himself up. The two had been at the first round for a surprising amount of time, both having good balance to remain up. Although both showed small signs of strain, they had little problem preventing them from falling.
Currently Artorian had his right hand on red, his left on yellow, right foot on blue and left foot on green, having him spread but was able to keep himself up. Meanwhile Mei Mei had her right hand on yellow, left on blue, her left leg on green and her right on blue as well. The cyber-cat maid had the advantage of a more manageable posture, but that would change as her spun came up, the needle landing on left leg blue. With their current position, she had little room to move, and the most open was further above her, getting a smirk from Artorian.
"Sure you can handle that Mei Mei? Seems like a pretty hard move to make, might fall before you can reach it."
"Nah, I think I can handle it." The cyber-cat maid shook her head, smiling as she'd lift her leg up to maneuver herself. The hybrid would then watch as she slowly moved her leg up, her movement's measured and focused as she lifted it over her head and placed it down on the appropriate circle.
"I'm pretty flexible, so this isn't too much of a problem." She'd say, sticking her tongue out playfully as she looked to Artorian.
The hybrid was left voiceless at the incredible flexibility, his mind running at a hundred miles and hour after what he just saw. But rather than thinking on how he would compete with the impressive flexibility, his mind went to much less relevant but much more enticing thoughts of what exactly that flexibility could do. More specifically the positions she could reach if they were doing other "activities". Those thoughts broke his focus and he ended up shaking his head to try and free himself of such ideas, resulting in him collapsing onto the mat.
"Huh?" She would hum, seeing Artorian collapse before cheering once more. "Yay, I won again! That was a lot of fun, could we do this again?"
"I really wish this was your convoluted attempt at seducing me, but I know it isn't." Artorian whispered.
"Huh?"
"Nothing, nothing. Just expressing my thoughts." He'd respond quickly, closing his eyes as he took one last look into his mind; imagining the fun the two could have in a much more exciting situation. One with preferably less clothing.
"Artorian?"
"One last second." He'd say, sighing with a wistful smile before opening his eyes. "Okay, one more go. And then we'll choose another game."
"Sounds great!"
KO!
"Wow, this game is surprisingly fun!" Mei Mei cheered, holding the control high above her as she kicked her feet out happily. "I'm not a fan of intense violence like street fighting, but at least it isn't that bad when it's just a videogame!"
"Where did you learn the combos?" Artorian asked dubiously, looking to her with a dropped jaw. "You didn't even look at the moves list, but you executed all of the combos flawlessly. For ten matches straight!"
"Oh… um… button mashing?" Mei Mei would excuse, blinking her right eye to deactivate the subtle glow to it, unnoticed by the hybrid.
"That doesn't make it better." He groaned. "No matter, it's as they say: Best 11 out of 21!"
"Sounds good!"
KO!
"Okay… maybe best 19 out of 37."
"Hihihi, sure thing!"
"Uno! And jump in!"
"Oh come on!" Artorian howled, slamming his head on the table between them in further defeat. "Why did I agree to a jump in rule!? No one uses that in real life!"
"Because you thought it would work in your favor." Claire said, looking to him as she placed her cards down in dignified defeat. "Well played once again Mei Mei, that's four games in your favor."
"Thanks Claire, it was a lot of fun!" the cyber-cat maid cheered. "I'm glad you three agreed to play with us, Artorian said it's best with at least four people."
"We didn't." Erica responded as she and Liddy placed their cards down. "He stole our desks and wouldn't return them unless we agreed to join in this "game night"."
"You two seemed to have been having fun before though, how long has this been going on for?" Liddy asked, looking to the Abysswalker.
"We started at around… six I think?"
"That was five hours ago."
"And I have yet to win a game yet. Yes, the disgrace is not lost on me."
"Wait, is this whole game night to try and beat Mei Mei in a game?" Claire asked, Artorian nodding once with his face still planted on the table. "Well I hope you have the patience to test every game in existence, because that'll be the day."
"Pardon?"
"Nothing, I think it'll be more entertaining to watch then warn you." Claire stated, smirking to herself as she did. "I normally would want to finish my work, but it is the weekend tomorrow, and this is far too good to pass up."
"Well I have to apologize but I think I'll retire for the night." Erica said, yawning as she stood up. "Please don't stay up too late Claire, you need your sleep."
"I'll properly rest once this is done. The show is going to be too good to pass."
"On that, we can agree." Liddy grinned, willing to stay longer as well.
"Gods damn it the women around me are sadists." Artorian grumbled, resting the side of his face on the table.
"What's a sadi-"
"Ask Charlotte." All three remaining Slayers immediately responded, confusing the cyber-cat maid more as they refused to give the answer.
"Okay, I have exhausted all potential games I have brought, and most other ideas I had to substitute the chance you managed to beat me in all of them." Artorian would say, taking a deep breath as he though everything over. It had been hours since he challenged Mei Mei to their game night, and since then he's suffered defeat after defeat. It had been so long now, that both Claire and Liddy had fallen asleep watching the hilarious struggles behind the hybrid's fruitless attempts, now sleeping in the two beds in the dorm room as the two had continued on. And while most would admit defeat, Artorian refused to do such, leaving him to one final attempt at claiming victory over the cyber-cat maid.
"But, there is one last one I can think of. Jynx." He'd reveal, looking to her.
"Jynx?"
"Jynx. It's a simple game of reaction and timing. I will count down, and once I do I will begin to have a one-sided conversation where I will continue to talk endlessly.' He'd explain. "Your goal is to try and copy one of the words at the exact same time I say it and yell Jynx before I can respond. Understand it?"
"I have one question. When can I start trying to copy your words?' She asked, tilting her head in confusion.
"As soon as I'm done counting down. After the numbers end you can copy any word, that clear it up?"
"Yep!"
"Alright, we'll start on Go. Ready?"
"3…"
"2…"
"1…"
"GO!"
"Jynx!"
"Fuck!" Artorian shouted, slamming his head on the table in utter defeat, not suspecting Mei Mei's copy at the first literal word he announced.
"Hey… language." Mei Mei pouted, looking to the boy as he remained down in shame. "Some words I can forgive, but that could be better put under control."
"It's a reflex, I can't stop myself." He admitted. "Well… that's it. I got nothing more. You beat me at every single game I had. I admit defeat. You are the champion of game night."
"Yeah! I'm champion!" Mei Mei cheered, her enthusiasm getting an entertained chuckle from the hybrid. While he wanted to win, the cyber-cat maid's exuberance was just too much to continue his disappointment. "That was a lot of fun Artorian, I never played games for twelve hours straight."
"Oh damn it's that early?" He questioned, looking at his PDA to see the time. "Wow, I honestly thought we went even longer. I guess you really lose track of time when having fun."
"Yep! It was entertaining playing so many games with you and everyone else."
"Wish I could've won something, but I suppose just making your night enjoyable was good enough."
"I'm sure you'll find something to beat me in, and then we can play that game for as long as you want!"
"Maybe, but I guess I'll have to settle as second best… third…" He'd correct, remembering that Claire usually snagged second in most of the games she participated in.
"I can't wait for the next game night, maybe we could invite Karen, Emile, Sakura and Miharu too for the next one?" Mei Mei would ask, getting a laugh from him.
"Sure, why not. We can make a routine of this for every Friday. Although we'll need to cut back on the time, Karen can't stay up that long and I can't imagine Miharu would want to lose too much sleep before her next shift."
"That'll be great!"
"Well, if that's done then there's only one last thing to do." Artorian said, moving over to Mei Mei as the remained on the floor.
"What?" She would ask, her answer being received as Artorian gently kissed her forehead, pulling back to smirk to himself.
"A champion deserves a trophy, and because I couldn't buy a proper one yet, that will have to do for now." He'd chuckle, closing his eyes as he did. "It's not much, but the flirt game is always an enjoyable passer, if only because it can let everyone get relaxed if they're used to it. But considering how calm you can be, it certainly isn't any problem I'd bet."
.
.
.
"Mei Mei?" Artorian would speak up, opening his eyes after the cyber-cat maid went several moments in silence. What he saw was her look down embarrassingly, her cheeks the slightest tinge of red. "Wait, are you…?"
"I… um, never have had someone kiss my forehead before." She admitted.
"Wait… but if that's the case and you're actually embarrassed…" His eyes would slowly open in realization, the hybrid grinning as he jumped up onto his feet. "Ahahahaha! I did it!" he cheered, raising his fists up in triumph. "I won a game!"
"Huh!?"
"The game of flirtation my dear Mei Mei!" He laughed. "It's a subtle and goalless game, but one that wins when the partner is humiliated! Which means I won!" The hybrid would continue to laugh, cheering to himself as he did.
"W-Wait! That isn't fair!"
"Don't care, I won something!" Artorian cackled, running to the bed Claire was on before flipping it over. "Screw you Claire! I won!"
"Did you just flip the bed!?" The blonde shouted, getting the rude awakening and digging herself out from under the mattress, sheets and pillow. Her hair was let down for her sleep, now all over the place from the bed flipping.
"Take that you drill-haired royal piece of ass!" He shouted as he pointed to her, laughing as he did. "I won a game! Shows you for doubting me Boobs-for-gah!" Before he could finish, Claire violently threw a pillow at his face, tackling him down as her face flared red in embarrassment.
"What were you calling me!?"
"Exactly what you are! Boobs-For-Brains!" He'd shout back, sitting up and pushing at her shoulders to attempt to separate them. However the blonde grabbed his cheeks and begin to pull them harshly, the two getting into a childish scuffle.
"You dare to refer to me in such a manner!? It looks like you need proper education on why you don't make such disrespectful claims!"
"Maybe don't have all your intelligence go to the massive boobs on your chest instead of your brain and I'd consider that!"
"I will bury you Artorian!"
"I'd like to see you try!"
Watching the two fight in such an immature way, Mei Mei couldn't help but laugh to herself happily. She couldn't recall the last time she saw Claire have so much fun, even more on the last time they could relax and enjoy themselves without the worry of work or the Savage. It made her happy to know the middle child of the Harvey family had found a good friend in the Abysswalker. And when thinking of the Abysswalker, her smile could only remain bright as she folded her hands over her chest. His attempt at redeeming himself, albeit in an underhand way, had resulted in a long night of fun and games. One she would treasure long after the day ended.
'Thank you Artorian, it was so much fun!' She'd think, flashing the brightest smile she could as she watched the Abysswalker and Perfect Queen do battle like children rather than the elite Savage killers they were.
(A/N): I just wanted to say again, I enjoyed this so much. Artorian gets so much shit thrown at him (especially recently) and giving him a heartwarming chapter like this gives the character the chance to properly enjoy himself without negative reflection. And with Mei Mei, the enjoyment on them is only that much more entertaining. And I just really liked it, as I do a lot of the ideas given. And with that in mind, here's the coming list:
1. A Faithful Onion
2. Healing Touch
3. Emilia Crossfode (Name pending)
And with that listed, I'm signing off. Feel free to send any requests and as always, I hope you all enjoyed this chapter and I'll see you in the next one. Peace!